Briefs

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
01/14/2013 06:36:16 AM EST

Thousands flock to flu clinics

BOSTON (AP) -- Boston's public health commissioner says more than 6,000 people got flu shots at nearly two dozen free clinics across the city, after officials announced that a child younger than 6 died after being diagnosed with the flu.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer says there were long lines at the clinics Saturday. More free clinics are scheduled for Sunday and the upcoming week.

Ferrer announced the child's death Friday, but it hasn't been confirmed whether the flu was the cause of death. Many parents say news of the child's death prompted them to get their children vaccinated Saturday.

Boston has declared a public-health emergency because of the flu. State health officials have reported about 6,000 confirmed flu cases in the state and 18 flu-related deaths, all in adults.

Insurance delays rebuilding of school

SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- An insurance settlement dispute is delaying the rebuilding of a Roman Catholic school in Springfield that was damaged by a tornado in June 2011.

The Republican of Springfield reports the Diocese of Springfield and its insurance company, Catholic Mutual Group, are $55 million apart in negotiations over the settlement amount involving Cathedral High School.

Consultants for the diocese estimate that it will cost about $70 million to build a new school, but the insurance company says the building can be repaired for $15 million.

Advertisement

The two sides are in an arbitration process that's not expected to end until April, five months later than expected. The diocese is asking parents to remain committed to the school during the arbitration.

Mt. Washington hits all-time January high

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. (AP) -- The January thaw in New England has even reached New Hampshire's Mount Washington, which recorded the all-time warmest temperature ever for the month.

Margaret Curtis from the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, says the temperature at the Mount Washington observatory hit 48 degrees at 6 a.m. Sunday, making New England's tallest mountain warmer than Phoenix and San Diego for a brief spell.

The previous record warmth for the month atop Mount Washington was 47 set on Jan. 20, 1995.

Curtis says temperatures will begin cooling across the region to more seasonable temperatures starting Monday, with the possibility of a shot of extreme cold Friday into Saturday.

Shoe-camera suspect arrested

SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) -- Police have arrested a man who's accused of using a camera mounted on his shoe to look up women's dresses at a Walmart last summer.

Police say William Tibbals, 31, of Saco remained in the Cumberland County Jail on Sunday, held without bail after his arrest Friday night. WCSH-TV says he's charged with visual sexual aggression against a child as well as numerous counts of violating privacy. Police say the arrest followed a lengthy investigation that included participation of Saco police and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit.

Several women customers at a Walmart store in Scarborough reported the behavior on July 16. They said the man had a small camera attached to his shoe.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.